What foods are Sikhs not allowed to eat?

December 15, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the official Sikh Code of Conduct, the Rehat Maryada, initiated Sikhs are prohibited from consuming ritually slaughtered meat, known as Kutha, as well as all forms of intoxicants. This guidance distinguishes their dietary practices from those of uninitiated Sikhs.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the specific food prohibitions for Sikhs, including the strict ban on ritually slaughtered meat (Kutha), alcohol, and tobacco. It clarifies the distinction between initiated (Amritdhari) and uninitiated (Sahajdhari) dietary rules and discusses the varied practices related to vegetarianism and the purpose of the vegetarian langar served at gurdwaras.

Key Points

Kutha Meat: Ritually slaughtered meat (e.g., Halal, Kosher) is strictly forbidden for initiated (Amritdhari) Sikhs.
Intoxicants: Alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs are prohibited for all Sikhs according to the Rehat Maryada.
Jhatka Meat: Initiated Sikhs who choose to eat meat are permitted to eat Jhatka meat, where the animal is killed with a single blow to minimize pain.
Vegetarianism: Vegetarianism is a respected personal choice and is the standard practice in all Gurdwara community kitchens (Langar).
Amritdhari vs. Uninitiated: The rules are most stringent for initiated Sikhs, while uninitiated Sikhs have more personal discretion on meat consumption, provided it is not Kutha.
No Beef or Pork Prohibition: There is no religious prohibition against beef or pork specifically, but some Sikhs avoid them out of cultural respect for Hindus and Muslims, respectively.

Core Prohibitions for Initiated Sikhs

For initiated Sikhs, known as Amritdhari Sikhs, the path to spiritual discipline includes adhering to a strict code of conduct outlined in the Rehat Maryada. This code details four major transgressions (Kurehits), two of which are dietary. The primary dietary prohibitions include specific types of meat and all forms of intoxicants.

Ritually Slaughtered Meat (Kutha)

The most specific dietary rule for Amritdhari Sikhs is the abstention from Kutha meat. This term refers to meat from an animal that has been ritually slaughtered in a religious ceremony, such as the Halal method in Islam or the Kosher method in Judaism. The prohibition stems from several beliefs:

Rejection of Ritualism: Sacrificing an animal in the name of God is viewed as mere ritualism, which Sikhism actively avoids.
Minimizing Suffering: The slow, methodical bleeding in ritual slaughter is considered inhumane. In contrast, Sikhs who choose to eat meat are instructed to consume only Jhatka meat, which involves killing the animal with a single, swift blow to minimize suffering.
Assertion of Sovereignty: Historically, the Mughal rulers of India made Halal meat the only legal option. Guru Gobind Singh’s instruction for Sikhs to consume only Jhatka meat was an assertion of their right to self-determination and sovereign status against an oppressive regime.

Intoxicants: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs

Another major prohibition for all Sikhs is the consumption of intoxicants. This includes:

Alcohol
Tobacco (in any form, including smoking and chewing)
Cannabis and other recreational drugs

The rationale behind this rule is that intoxicants cloud the mind, hinder meditation and spiritual focus, and can lead to negative behavior. While some non-baptized Sikhs may consume alcohol, it is strictly forbidden for Amritdharis. The Guru Granth Sahib explicitly warns against the consumption of substances that cause a person to forget God.

Varying Dietary Practices Among Sikhs

It's important to understand that not all Sikhs follow the exact same dietary regimen. The most significant distinction is between Amritdhari and uninitiated (Sahajdhari) Sikhs.

Amritdhari vs. Uninitiated Sikhs

As detailed above, Amritdhari Sikhs adhere strictly to the Rehat Maryada, including the prohibitions on Kutha meat and intoxicants. For uninitiated Sikhs, the dietary guidelines are less rigid, with the choice of eating meat being left to the individual. While some uninitiated Sikhs choose vegetarianism, others eat meat, provided it is not ritually slaughtered.

The Significance of Vegetarianism

While not mandatory for all Sikhs, vegetarianism is a prominent and respected choice within the faith. This is most notably seen in the communal kitchen, or Langar, at every Gurdwara, which serves only lacto-vegetarian food. This practice ensures that all visitors, regardless of their background or personal dietary restrictions, can share a meal together on an equal footing. Many initiated Sikhs also choose to follow a purely vegetarian diet to avoid any confusion or risk of consuming Kutha meat and to align with the core Sikh value of compassion.

Cultural Dietary Considerations

In addition to religious rulings, cultural factors influence some Sikhs' diets. For instance, many Sikhs avoid beef out of respect for Hindu culture, and pork out of respect for Muslim culture, though neither is religiously prohibited for non-ritually slaughtered meat. This reflects the Sikh values of respect and interfaith harmony.

Comparison of Sikh Dietary Practices


Practice	Amritdhari (Initiated) Sikhs	Uninitiated (Sahajdhari) Sikhs
Ritually Slaughtered Meat (Kutha)	Strictly forbidden; considered a major transgression (Kurehit).	Prohibited, but adherence may vary depending on the individual's level of practice.
Intoxicants (Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs)	Strictly forbidden; considered a major transgression (Kurehit).	Prohibited by religious teaching, though individual adherence can vary.
Meat (Non-Kutha)	Permitted (Jhatka), but many choose to be vegetarian.	Personal choice; not prohibited as long as it is not Kutha.
Vegetarianism	Strongly encouraged and practiced by many, but not mandatory.	An individual choice, often preferred by those with a stronger spiritual focus.
Langar Food	Lacto-vegetarian only.	Lacto-vegetarian only.

Conclusion

While a common misconception holds that all Sikhs are vegetarian, the dietary rules in Sikhism are more nuanced, particularly distinguishing between initiated and uninitiated followers. The primary prohibitions for initiated Sikhs are the consumption of ritually slaughtered Kutha meat and any form of intoxicants. For uninitiated Sikhs, the decision to consume meat is a personal one, though they are still discouraged from having ritually prepared meat and intoxicants. The lacto-vegetarian Langar in Gurdwaras symbolizes the core Sikh values of equality and humility, reflecting the emphasis on a simple, compassionate life rather than strict dietary dogma. Understanding these distinctions provides a clearer picture of the diverse and deeply personal nature of Sikh dietary practices.

For more detailed information on the Sikh Code of Conduct, refer to the Rehat Maryada on SikhiWiki.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all Sikhs are vegetarians. The decision to eat meat is a personal choice for many uninitiated Sikhs. However, initiated Sikhs (Amritdharis) are prohibited from consuming ritually slaughtered (Kutha) meat.

Halal meat is prohibited for initiated Sikhs because it is a form of Kutha, or ritually slaughtered meat. The practice is forbidden due to its association with religious ritualism and the belief that the slow bleeding causes undue suffering to the animal.

No, the Sikh Code of Conduct, the Rehat Maryada, strictly forbids the consumption of alcohol and all other intoxicants for all Sikhs.

The use of tobacco in any form is considered one of the four major transgressions for initiated Sikhs and is strictly forbidden for all followers of the faith.

Sikhism does not have specific religious prohibitions against beef or pork, as long as it is not ritually slaughtered. However, many Sikhs may avoid beef out of cultural respect for Hindus and pork out of respect for Muslims.

Jhatka meat refers to meat from an animal killed by a single, swift stroke to the neck, which is believed to cause minimal pain. This is the only type of meat permitted for initiated Sikhs who choose to be non-vegetarian.

Only vegetarian food is served in the Gurdwara's communal kitchen (Langar) to ensure that people of all faiths, including those who are vegetarian for religious reasons, can eat together without any hesitation, reflecting the core Sikh value of equality.